Bechukotai

Max A., May 21, 2011, Temple Israel, New Rochelle, NY

Max is one of the most outgoing, and personable kids you met at camp, and one of your first friends there. Always the life of the party, and always a good friend. Max came from far for your Bat Mitzvah, and I am pleased to take you to his. When I picked you up late at night at the temple, you said, "Mom, did you know that Max's mom could sing?" Well, considering I only met Max's mom once or twice, I didn't know that. She sang a moving song to Max, one that she hadn't sung in years. And it was quite memorable. "Party to the Max!"

Behar

Jacob L., May 14, 2011, Temple Israel Boston

Jacob's Parshah is Behar, which happened to be mine 35 years ago.....yes, your mother is old. Sounds like Jacob did a great job, and the party was fun, especially hanging out with Odessa and Eden. Jacob was in your kindergarten class at Rashi, and his mom used to give me hand me down items with his name on it...for our Jacob!

This busy year is winding down, with only a few weeks left. It's amazing that your Bat Mitzvah was almost a year ago. Next weekend in NY for Max, after that family friends, and then one more school and camp friend. That will wrap it up for the school year....but there's a few more in the fall.

Emor

Isaac J., May 7, 2011, Temple Shir Tikvah, Wayland, MA

Mazel tov to Isaac and his family. Isaac had a very moving service, with our friend and his Rabbi Neal Gold. It was another witnessing of a family so involved in their synagogue, that the Rabbi spoke in an intimate way to the Bar Mitvah. And in most cases, parents have a few words for the Bar Mitzvah; in this case when your mother is a cantor, those dreams and wishes for your get sung to you. It was beautiful.

Isaac's Bar Mitzvah was originally planned for Israel, but when plans changed, the family decided to bring Israel to the guests by planting trees in our honor. It was a very special gesture. The kiddush lunch was a perfect following to the services.

Tali S. May 7, 2011, Congregation Kehillat Israel, Brookline, MA

Tali's Bat Mitzvah was at the same time as Isaac's, but you had the chance to attend her party in the evening at the MIT Faculty Club. It was fun and festive, but tiring after a long week in Washington DC.

Kedoshim

Kent Z., April 30, 2011, Temple Hillel B'nai Torah

Unfortunately, you took the day off to recover from a sick day.......this service and party was on your schedule, but a day of rest was more needed. You took a quick peak at the party Saturday night, after an hour declaring "I'm tired!"

I'm sure that Kent did a good job and his celebration was fun.

And now it's time for the trip to DC before a busy weekend next week.

Acharei Mot

Abigail K. , April 16, 2011, Temple Emanuel Newton, MA

Another lovely service at Temple Emanuel, Abigail did a nice job. In addition to her Bat Mitzvah there was a baby naming. Sometimes you tend to forget that the synagogue has other things going on........and the congregation seemed to be filled with congregants, not only related to the Bat Mitzvah and baby.

This week the usher came to talk to the kids...but not to tell them to keep quiet. He came to solicit volunteers, and Isaac and Kent had the honor of holding the first torah during the haftorah reading. A proud moment.

The elegant party was at the Henderson House, which as Goldie and Sammy put it "was sooooo Abigail"!!

Rachel B., April 16, 2011, Temple Beth Elohim

Halfway through the night, we brought Goldie and Sammy to Rachel's party at TBE, conveniently close to the Henderson House. Rachel is in your bunk at camp, hooray for camp parties! It was a very lively and loud party, and I recognized a few faces when we dropped you off. It's good to be young and invited to many parties.

And it is good to have a weekend off for Passover next week! May is busier than April!

Metzora

Mikki J. , April 9, 2011 Temple Israel, Boston

Mikki was cool as a cucumber, leading the service, and teaching her torah portion. She looked beautiful, too! As the Rabbi said, she made a difficult torah portion into an interesting topic, and did it with ease and an appropriate sense of humor. He also mentioned how the Janower family had taught everyone in the congregation something about overcoming odds from sickness. So true.

We guessed right about the Fashion theme! Fun magazine pictures.

Rebecca N., April 9, 2011, Chabad of Lexington

An evening Havdallah and dessert at Chabad was led by Rebecca. She has transitioned into quite a lovely lady also. Good to be with our Chabad peeps! We enjoyed Italian champagne and home made rugelach and lots of beautiful pictures of Rebecca in Italy and San Diego, her two homes away from home.

Tazria

Lily V., April 2, 2011, Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley, MA

Lily is one of your first friends from Rashi school, when you were in Ms. Farber's Kindergarten class! Only a few classmates remain at Rashi from that first year, when the class was young and very sweet. Lily was pretty nervous but the Rabbi and her parents were very calming.

Services were at the newly remodeled TBE, and the sanctuary was magnificent. The party was very fun, and included a Flash mob, a monkey (!!) and very creative face painting.

Bayla Bukiet, April 2, 2011, Chabad of Lexington, Lexington MA

The 5th daughter of Rabbi Bukiet, Bayla was at nursery school at the same time as you and Jacob at Chabad. Those were the years we really got to know the Bukiet family, and to enjoy Chabad. Dad and Jacob went to the services, and enjoyed Bayla's D'var Torah. Mazel Tov to the Bukiets.